The Marks of a Mature Person

Philippians 3:11 (NIV) 15 All of us who are mature ….

Grow up before you grow old!

Hebrews 6:1 (NIV) 1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings

about Christ and go on to maturity,

Hebrews 6:1 (MSG) 1 So come on, let's leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of

art. Grow up in Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (MSG) 1 But for right now, friends, I'm completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with

God. You're acting like infants in relation to Christ, 2

capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then, I'll nurse you since you don't seem

capable of anything more.

1 Corinthians 13:11 (MSG) 11 When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I

gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

Hebrews 5:12 (MSG) 12 By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet

here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from

square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago!

1 Corinthians 14:20 (MSG) 20 To be perfectly frank, I'm getting exasperated with your infantile thinking. How long before you grow up

and use your head—your adult head?

Ephesians 4:11-16 (MSG) 13 until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with

each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and

without, fully alive like Christ. 14 No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in

the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. 15 God wants us to grow up, to know the

whole truth and tell it in love—

Maturity is NOT:

Maturity is not age.

Maturity is not appearance.

Maturity has nothing to do with achievement or what you accomplish.

Maturity has nothing to do with how bright you are.

1. A MATURE PERSON KEEPS THEIR JOY – EVEN UNDER PRESSURE

James 1:2-4"Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of

many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance and perseverance must

finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything."

“Christianity is a life. It's not a religion, it's a life. Jesus said, "I've come that you might have life." Life means problems,

and part of life means … facing problems with the right attitude.’

James says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,

because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who

love Him."

2. A MATURE PERSON HAS CONTROL OVER HIS MOUTH

James 3:2"We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at

fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check."

Ephesians 4:29"Do not let any negative talk come out of your mouth

but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs..."

James 1:26"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not

keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

3. A MATURE PERSON IS A PEACEMAKER NOT A TROUBLEMAKER

James 4:1"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?"

James 4:3"When you ask you do not receive. But you ask with the wrong motives that you may spend what you get

on your pleasures."

Proverbs 13:10 (NIV) 10 Pride only breeds quarrels,

James 4:11-12"Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who

speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it... There is only one lawgiver and judge, one who is able to save and

destroy. But you, who are you to judge your neighbour?"

4. A MATURE PERSON IS PATIENT AND PRAYERFUL James 5:7 (NIV)

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its

valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

5. A MATURE PERSON REACHES OUT TO OTHER PEOPLE

James 2:8 (NIV)"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture,

`Love your neighbour as yourself' you are doing right."

1 John 2:12-14 (NIV) 12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the

beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear

children, because you have known the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is

from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and

you have overcome the evil one.

James 2:1-6Don't show favouritism, don't be a snob, don't look down on people, don't judge by appearance, don't

insult people, don't exploit people.

Philippians 3:11-17 (NIV) 15 All of us who are mature ….

What are the marks of a mature person?

1. How do you handle problems? Do you keep joy & stay positive?

2. Can you manage your mouth?

3. Are you a troublemaker or a peacemaker?

4. How long can you wait for an answer to prayer without giving up?

5.Are you reaching out beyond yourself?

Let’s grow up before we grow old!